Horrell Brothers
Encyclopedia
The Horrell Brothers, sometimes referred to as the Lawless Horrell Boys (ca. 1873 - 1878) were five brothers from the Horrell family of Lampasas County, Texas
, who were outlaw
s of the Old West, and who committed numerous murders over a five year period before four of the brothers were killed in different incidents. Although itself resulting in relatively few deaths compared to other Feud
s, the brothers are probably best known for the Horrell-Higgins feud. However, starting in 1873, the brothers went on an ethnically motivated killing spree during which time they killed one Hispanic
lawman
and another Caucasian
lawman in New Mexico
, and eleven other Hispanic men, along with wounding one Hispanic woman. The brothers had killed five lawmen prior to that spree, in Texas
.
. By all accounts, the two families got along well for over a decade. However, by the early 1870s, the Horrell boys, Mart, Tom, Merritt, Ben and Sam were involved in numerous lawless activities. In January 1873, Lampasas County Sheriff
Shadrick T. Denson attempted to arrest two brothers, Wash and Mark Short, but was impeded by the Horrell brothers, which resulted in a gunfight with Sheriff Denson being shot and killed. The county judge appealed to Governor
Edmund J. Davis
for help. This prompted the Texas State Police
to dispatch a number of lawmen to settle things down.
. Seven State Police arrived shortly thereafter, under the command of Captain
Thomas Williams. On March 14, 1873, state officers Wesley Cherry, Jim Daniels, and Andrew Melville arrested Bill Bowen, a brother in law to the Horrell brothers, for carrying a firearm. The officers then entered Jerry Scott's Saloon with Bowen in tow. After a verbal exchange with the Horrell brothers, who were inside the saloon, a gunfight ensued leaving four officers dead, including Captain Williams. Captain Williams shot and badly wounded Mart Horrell, and Tom Horrell was also wounded.
jail. However more than thirty friends soon broke into the jail and freed them. The brothers fled to Lincoln County, New Mexico
, where Ben Horrell quickly befriended Lincoln County Sheriff Jack Gylam. On December 1, 1873, Sheriff Gylam and Ben Horrell rode into Lincoln, New Mexico
and began drinking, visiting several brothel
s and saloons before discharging their firearms in the street while drunk. Constable
Juan Martinez demanded they turn over their weapons, and they complied, but were not arrested. Soon afterward, they had acquired more pistols, and again were shooting, this time inside a brothel. When confronted by Constable Martinez yet again, Ben Horrell shot and killed Martinez, and he and Sheriff Gylam fled. Other lawmen caught up with them before they were able to leave town, and killed them both.
The Horrell brothers retaliated by killing two prominent Mexican
ranchers, resulting in newly appointed Sheriff Alexander Hamilton Mills gathering a posse
and hunting them down. After an intense standoff outside Lincoln, the posse retreated, and the brothers escaped. On December 20, 1873, the brothers stormed a Hispanic celebration in Lincoln, killing four Hispanic men and wounding one Hispanic woman. Again they were pursued, but evaded capture. Shortly afterward, Edward "Little" Hart, a friend to the Horrell brothers, shot and killed Deputy Sheriff Joseph Haskins due to the latter having married a Hispanic woman. Less than a week later, the brothers and their friends came into contact with freight wagon
s just outside Roswell, New Mexico
, maintained by five Hispanic men, all of whom were killed by the brothers.
s, but instead as outlaw
s. The brothers were arrested for the murders of the lawmen in Lampasas, but due to a local jury
hearing the case, they were acquitted. Shortly after their acquittal, John “Pink” Higgins
accused the Horrell brothers of cattle rustling. The brothers were arrested, but again due mostly to a local jury hearing the case, they were acquitted. Although things were tense between the two families, no actions were taken by either side until January 22, 1877. On that day, while in the Wiley and Toland's Gem Saloon in Lampasas, John Higgins shot and killed Merritt Horrell in a gunfight.
The three remaining Horrell brothers vowed they would take revenge against John Higgins, his brother in law Bob Mitchell, and friend Bill Wren, voicing this publicly on several occasions. On March 26, 1877, Tom and Mart Horrell were shot and wounded during an ambush
, but both survived. John Higgins and Bob Mitchell were being sought for the Merritt Horrell gunfight, and both surrendered shortly after the ambush to Texas Ranger
Captain John Sparks, best known for his earlier 1876 capture of gunman Billy Thompson
. Both men posted a $10,000 bond and were released. The local courthouse
was burglarized
shortly thereafter, with several records stolen including their bonds. The shooting of Merritt Horrell was later ruled self defense, and the charges dropped.
Texas Rangers descended on the town only days later. All three Horrell brothers were arrested, and Texas Ranger Major
John B. Jones acted as a mediator between the two sides to calm matters. Less than one year later, Mart and Tom Horrell were arrested in Meridian, Texas
for armed robbery and murder
. While confined to the local jail, vigilante
s broke in and shot them both, killing them. Although never proven, it was speculated that John Higgins instigated the murders. Sam Horrell was now the only remaining Horrell brother. He moved his family to Oregon
in 1882, then later to California
. He died there in 1936. John Higgins was viewed as a hero locally, and is often credited with bringing down the Horrell Brothers. He later worked as a range detective, and developed a considerable reputation as a gunman, and in September, 1877, Higgins killed cowboy Ike Lantier, whom he caught stealing cattle, after Lantier drew on him. That shooting was also ruled self defense. On October 4, 1903, he killed gunman and former lawman Bill Standifer
in a gunfight, after Standifer had threatened Higgins son Cullin, a local district attorney
. Higgins died on December 18, 1914. At the time of his death, Higgins is believed to have killed fourteen men in gunfights.
Lampasas County, Texas
Lampasas County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 17,762. Its seat is Lampasas. The county is named for the Lampasas River....
, who were outlaw
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
s of the Old West, and who committed numerous murders over a five year period before four of the brothers were killed in different incidents. Although itself resulting in relatively few deaths compared to other Feud
Feud
A feud , referred to in more extreme cases as a blood feud, vendetta, faida, or private war, is a long-running argument or fight between parties—often groups of people, especially families or clans. Feuds begin because one party perceives itself to have been attacked, insulted or wronged by another...
s, the brothers are probably best known for the Horrell-Higgins feud. However, starting in 1873, the brothers went on an ethnically motivated killing spree during which time they killed one Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
lawman
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
and another Caucasian
Caucasian race
The term Caucasian race has been used to denote the general physical type of some or all of the populations of Europe, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Western Asia , Central Asia and South Asia...
lawman in New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, and eleven other Hispanic men, along with wounding one Hispanic woman. The brothers had killed five lawmen prior to that spree, in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Background
The Horrell and Higgins families had both settled in the Lampasas County area several years before the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. By all accounts, the two families got along well for over a decade. However, by the early 1870s, the Horrell boys, Mart, Tom, Merritt, Ben and Sam were involved in numerous lawless activities. In January 1873, Lampasas County Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
Shadrick T. Denson attempted to arrest two brothers, Wash and Mark Short, but was impeded by the Horrell brothers, which resulted in a gunfight with Sheriff Denson being shot and killed. The county judge appealed to Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Edmund J. Davis
Edmund J. Davis
Edmund Jackson Davis was an American lawyer, soldier, and politician. He was a Southern Unionist and served as a Union general in the American Civil War, besides serving one term as the 14th Governor of Texas.-Early years:...
for help. This prompted the Texas State Police
Texas Department of Public Safety
The Texas Department of Public Safety is a department of the government of the state of Texas. The DPS is responsible for statewide law enforcement and vehicle regulation. The Public Safety Commission oversees the DPS. Its five members are appointed by the Governor of Texas and confirmed by the...
to dispatch a number of lawmen to settle things down.
Saloon gunfight
On February 10, 1873, Governor Davis issued an order prohibiting the carrying of firearms inside town limits of Lampasas, TexasLampasas, Texas
Lampasas is a city in Lampasas County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,786 at the 2000 census. It is the seat of Lampasas County.Lampasas is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. Seven State Police arrived shortly thereafter, under the command of Captain
Police captain
- France :France uses the rank of capitaine for management duties in both uniformed and plain-clothed policing. The rank comes senior to lieutenant and junior to commandant....
Thomas Williams. On March 14, 1873, state officers Wesley Cherry, Jim Daniels, and Andrew Melville arrested Bill Bowen, a brother in law to the Horrell brothers, for carrying a firearm. The officers then entered Jerry Scott's Saloon with Bowen in tow. After a verbal exchange with the Horrell brothers, who were inside the saloon, a gunfight ensued leaving four officers dead, including Captain Williams. Captain Williams shot and badly wounded Mart Horrell, and Tom Horrell was also wounded.
Killing spree
Following the gunfight, several more state police were sent to the county. Mart Horrell and three friends were quickly arrested and taken to the Georgetown, TexasGeorgetown, Texas
Georgetown is a city and also the county seat of Williamson County, Texas, United States with a population of 47,400 at the 2010 census. Southwestern University, founded in 1840, is the oldest university in Texas and is located in Georgetown, about 1/2 mile east of the historic square...
jail. However more than thirty friends soon broke into the jail and freed them. The brothers fled to Lincoln County, New Mexico
Lincoln County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*85.1% White*0.5% Black*2.4% Native American*0.4% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.5% Two or more races*9.1% Other races*29.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, where Ben Horrell quickly befriended Lincoln County Sheriff Jack Gylam. On December 1, 1873, Sheriff Gylam and Ben Horrell rode into Lincoln, New Mexico
Lincoln, New Mexico
Lincoln is an unincorporated community in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States, located approximately 57 miles west of Roswell and just south of the Lincoln National Forest. The town had a population of about 800 in 1888, and Main Street has been beautifully preserved by current residents....
and began drinking, visiting several brothel
Brothel
Brothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
s and saloons before discharging their firearms in the street while drunk. Constable
Constable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
Juan Martinez demanded they turn over their weapons, and they complied, but were not arrested. Soon afterward, they had acquired more pistols, and again were shooting, this time inside a brothel. When confronted by Constable Martinez yet again, Ben Horrell shot and killed Martinez, and he and Sheriff Gylam fled. Other lawmen caught up with them before they were able to leave town, and killed them both.
The Horrell brothers retaliated by killing two prominent Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
ranchers, resulting in newly appointed Sheriff Alexander Hamilton Mills gathering a posse
Posse comitatus (common law)
Posse comitatus or sheriff's posse is the common-law or statute law authority of a county sheriff or other law officer to conscript any able-bodied males to assist him in keeping the peace or to pursue and arrest a felon, similar to the concept of the "hue and cry"...
and hunting them down. After an intense standoff outside Lincoln, the posse retreated, and the brothers escaped. On December 20, 1873, the brothers stormed a Hispanic celebration in Lincoln, killing four Hispanic men and wounding one Hispanic woman. Again they were pursued, but evaded capture. Shortly afterward, Edward "Little" Hart, a friend to the Horrell brothers, shot and killed Deputy Sheriff Joseph Haskins due to the latter having married a Hispanic woman. Less than a week later, the brothers and their friends came into contact with freight wagon
Wagon
A wagon is a heavy four-wheeled vehicle pulled by draught animals; it was formerly often called a wain, and if low and sideless may be called a dray, trolley or float....
s just outside Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell is a city in and the county seat of Chaves County in the southeastern quarter of the state of New Mexico, United States. The population was 48,366 at the 2010 census. It is a center for irrigation farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is also...
, maintained by five Hispanic men, all of whom were killed by the brothers.
Feud begins
By early February, 1874, the brothers had returned to Lampasas, but found they were no longer welcome, and no longer viewed as simply fun-loving cowboyCowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
s, but instead as outlaw
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
s. The brothers were arrested for the murders of the lawmen in Lampasas, but due to a local jury
Jury
A jury is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Modern juries tend to be found in courts to ascertain the guilt, or lack thereof, in a crime. In Anglophone jurisdictions, the verdict may be guilty,...
hearing the case, they were acquitted. Shortly after their acquittal, John “Pink” Higgins
John Higgins (gunman)
John Higgins, better known as "Pink" Higgins was a little known gunman and cowboy of the Old West, despite his having killed more men in his lifetime than more notable and well known gunfighters.-Early life:...
accused the Horrell brothers of cattle rustling. The brothers were arrested, but again due mostly to a local jury hearing the case, they were acquitted. Although things were tense between the two families, no actions were taken by either side until January 22, 1877. On that day, while in the Wiley and Toland's Gem Saloon in Lampasas, John Higgins shot and killed Merritt Horrell in a gunfight.
The three remaining Horrell brothers vowed they would take revenge against John Higgins, his brother in law Bob Mitchell, and friend Bill Wren, voicing this publicly on several occasions. On March 26, 1877, Tom and Mart Horrell were shot and wounded during an ambush
Ambush
An ambush is a long-established military tactic, in which the aggressors take advantage of concealment and the element of surprise to attack an unsuspecting enemy from concealed positions, such as among dense underbrush or behind hilltops...
, but both survived. John Higgins and Bob Mitchell were being sought for the Merritt Horrell gunfight, and both surrendered shortly after the ambush to Texas Ranger
Texas Ranger Division
The Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers, is a law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction in Texas, and is based in Austin, Texas...
Captain John Sparks, best known for his earlier 1876 capture of gunman Billy Thompson
Billy Thompson (gunman)
Billy Thompson, sometimes known as Texas Billy Thompson was an Old West gunman and gambler, and the younger brother of the famous gunman and lawman Ben Thompson. The younger Thompson brother never achieved the fame that his brother achieved, and in his own lifetime was mainly referred to as the...
. Both men posted a $10,000 bond and were released. The local courthouse
Courthouse
A courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
was burglarized
Burglary
Burglary is a crime, the essence of which is illicit entry into a building for the purposes of committing an offense. Usually that offense will be theft, but most jurisdictions specify others which fall within the ambit of burglary...
shortly thereafter, with several records stolen including their bonds. The shooting of Merritt Horrell was later ruled self defense, and the charges dropped.
Lampasas Square Shoot Out
On June 7, 1877, John Higgins, brother in law Bob Mitchell, Bob's brother Frank, Bill Wren, and another brother in law, Ben Terry, rode into Lampasas. The Horrell brothers and several friends were already in town that day, gathered at the square. It is unknown who fired first, but it is believed that someone within the Horrell faction opened fire on the Higgins faction. When it was over, Bill Wren had been wounded, Frank Mitchell had been killed, and Horrell faction members Buck Waltrup and Carson Graham were killed.Texas Rangers descended on the town only days later. All three Horrell brothers were arrested, and Texas Ranger Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
John B. Jones acted as a mediator between the two sides to calm matters. Less than one year later, Mart and Tom Horrell were arrested in Meridian, Texas
Meridian, Texas
Meridian is a city located in Bosque County in Central Texas. The population was 1,491 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Bosque County, Texas.-Geography:Meridian is located at ....
for armed robbery and murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
. While confined to the local jail, vigilante
Vigilante
A vigilante is a private individual who legally or illegally punishes an alleged lawbreaker, or participates in a group which metes out extralegal punishment to an alleged lawbreaker....
s broke in and shot them both, killing them. Although never proven, it was speculated that John Higgins instigated the murders. Sam Horrell was now the only remaining Horrell brother. He moved his family to Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
in 1882, then later to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He died there in 1936. John Higgins was viewed as a hero locally, and is often credited with bringing down the Horrell Brothers. He later worked as a range detective, and developed a considerable reputation as a gunman, and in September, 1877, Higgins killed cowboy Ike Lantier, whom he caught stealing cattle, after Lantier drew on him. That shooting was also ruled self defense. On October 4, 1903, he killed gunman and former lawman Bill Standifer
Bill Standifer
Bill Standifer, also known as "Little Bill" Standifer was a gunman and lawman of the Old West. He is best remembered for having been killed by noted and better known gunman John "Pink" Higgins in 1903.-Early life and notoriety:...
in a gunfight, after Standifer had threatened Higgins son Cullin, a local district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
. Higgins died on December 18, 1914. At the time of his death, Higgins is believed to have killed fourteen men in gunfights.